40 under Forty

Utah’s Rising Stars

Di Lewis, Heather Stewart, Sarah Ryther Francom

February 1, 2012

Being this outstanding takes a lot of work, but our Forty Under 40 honorees make it look easy. Every year we recognize those in the community who do more—more service, more involvement, more hard work—all before they’ve turned 40. Our Forty Under 40 are serial entrepreneurs, technology innovators and finance gurus—each bringing something unique to Utah’s dynamic business community. From volunteering for nonprofits to growing businesses to spending time with their families, these rising stars find the right balance and inspire others in the process. They are the hardworking core who are building Utah’s future economy, while helping better everyone around them. Join us as we celebrate today’s rising leaders.

Erik Adams
President and CEO, Simplicity Laser, Inc. | Age: 39

In October 2009, Erik Adams took the helm of Simplicity Laser, Inc. and found himself leading a company that was in debt and under pressure to succeed with a flawed business model. He spent the next six months reorganizing the staff and refocusing the company with a new operating model.

Under Adams’ leadership, Simplicity began promoting its laser hair removal memberships, which enable clients to immediately begin receiving treatments while paying a low monthly rate—instead of paying thousands upfront. The company also partnered with doctors who already owned laser equipment, which lowered costs for Simplicity even more.

“When we met, Simplicity was a struggling small business with many angry shareholders, several disappointed partners and a lot of doubt about its business model. Within months, Erik and his team…created a successful company with large profit margins and a long list of excited potential investors and partners,” says Mark Marshall, president and CEO of the Accend Group.

Brent Andrewsen
Shareholder, Kirton McConkie | Age: 38

Brent Andrewsen is committed to bettering the community in his personal and professional endeavors. As a shareholder at Kirton McConkie, Andrewsen practices tax, estate planning and nonprofit law. He is able to serve many nonprofits throughout the state by lending his tax and estate planning expertise to organizations such as the Community Foundation of Utah, the National Planned Giving Council and other organizations. Andrewsen also serves as the program chair for the nonprofit section of the Utah State Bar.

“It’s really fun to have someone come in and say we have this great idea, we think we can solve this need either domestically or in a foreign country and then to be able to use my skills to help them accomplish that,” he says.

Andrewsen says he also enjoys helping people deal with the realities of estate planning. “I enjoy sitting down with a family and hearing their concerns and then helping share with them that there are things that we can do together to achieve their objectives.”

Paul Belcher
Co-owner, Mountain Crane Service | Age: 34

After earning an MBA from Utah State University, Paul Belcher was approached with many employment offers—and declined them all. Belcher had always aspired to be an entrepreneur and wouldn’t settle for anything less. He developed a business plan for Mountain Crane Service and was able to secure financing from family members to turn the plan into action. Over the course of five years, Belcher and partner, Lon Stam, were able to grow the company to more than $20 million in revenue. Today, Mountain Crane Service is the 37th largest crane company in the United States.

Belcher says what he enjoys most about his position is seeing his company’s work throughout the community. “I have the opportunity to go out and see amazing things in the community that I’ve been part of,” he says. “I’ve been part of building the downtown City Creek project. I’ve been part of building the I-15 freeway projects. We’ve been part of projects both small and huge.”